Designed to boost the number of primary care physicians in South Carolina, PCAT offers an innovative route to becoming an M.D. Participants receive a full tuition scholarship in exchange for a four-year commitment to providing primary care with Prisma Health, serving the patients of South Carolina.
Welcome to the Primary Care Accelerated Track (PCAT) program, launched in July 2024. This innovative 3-year pathway is designed to accelerate your journey to becoming an M.D. with a focus on increasing the number of primary care physicians in South Carolina.
As a PCAT Scholar, you will complete your medical education at the University of South Carolina School of Medicine Greenville (USC SOMG) in three years. Following graduation, you will seamlessly transition into a 3-year residency in one of the Prisma Health Family Medicine residency programs.
We offer a full University of South Carolina School of Medicine Greenville tuition
scholarship in exchange for a 4-year commitment to providing primary care within the
Prisma Health organization after you complete your residency. Join us in shaping the
future of healthcare in our community.
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* See our Curriculum Schematic |
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Meg Berquist credits her incredible parents and younger sister, Anne, for their unwavering support and encouragement. She has always loved music and played the clarinet in her college marching band. In her free time, Meg enjoys reading, cooking, and spending time in nature. She chose Family Medicine because it allows her to care for patients through every stage of life while fostering lasting relationships and promoting holistic, continuous care.
Lucas Block was raised in Greenville, SC, where he has continued to study and work in the Upstate. He earned his BSN from USC Upstate in 2022 and has worked as a nurse in Spartanburg Medical Center’s Emergency Center. Lucas is drawn to Family Medicine for its holistic, preventive approach and the opportunity to build long-term relationships with patients. Outside of medicine, he enjoys biking on the Swamp Rabbit Trail, playing and coaching soccer, hiking, kayaking, and spending time with his family and black lab.
Chase Brandner grew up in Concord, North Carolina. Before medical school, he worked as a wellness coach and a paramedic. These experiences strengthened his passion for patient-centered and accessible care. He chose Family Medicine because it allows him to build meaningful, long-term relationships while addressing both medical needs and barriers to care. Outside of medicine, Chase enjoys college basketball (Go Tar Heels!), weightlifting, listening to audiobooks, and spending time with family and friends.
Kendall Brady grew up in a family full of love, support, and laughter, which inspired her to share that same spirit with others. She enjoys hiking and camping, dancing, volunteering at animal shelters and food pantries, and finding creative ways to connect with her community. A lifelong music lover, she collects vinyl records and is learning to play the banjo given to her by her Uncle John. Kendall is passionate about Family Medicine because it allows her to care for patients and their support systems while addressing health disparities through compassionate, holistic, and community-based care.
Gina Ross, a Greenville, South Carolina native, earned her Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences from Clemson University. She recently married Thomas Ross, who will also be joining the Prisma family as a Supply Chain Contract Sourcing Specialist. Gina is passionate about Family Medicine for its focus on preventive care and community health. Through the PCAT program, she hopes to expand access to care and build lasting relationships within her community.
Marcus Schlueter was born in Columbia, SC, and earned his degree in Biology with a minor in Chemistry from Winthrop University. His passion for Family Medicine comes from the opportunity to provide continuous, comprehensive care to patients of all ages while building lasting relationships and supporting their overall well-being. He values being a trusted presence in the community and addressing a broad range of medical needs. Outside of medicine, Marcus enjoys bodybuilding, fishing, playing basketball, exploring new restaurants, and spending time with family and friends.
Brittany Champoux is from Greenwood, South Carolina, where she lives with her husband and daughter. She graduated from Bob Jones University in 2022 with a B.S. in premed and is excited to participate in the PCAT program at USC Greenville School of Medicine, with a focus on improving family medicine in South Carolina.
Piper Lin, raised in Pike Creek, Delaware, moved to South Carolina to attend Clemson University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry with minors in Biological Sciences and Social Clusters. Driven by her love for science and a passion for inclusivity, she chose Family Medicine to ensure access to continuous healthcare for diverse communities and aims to gain the knowledge and experience needed to practice with exceptional preparation and compassion in the PCAT program.
Seth Piechota grew up on the outskirts of Beaufort County, where he experienced the challenges of limited healthcare access, inspiring him to pursue a medical career focused on underserved areas. Motivated by the impact of these issues on his community, he aims to become a family medicine physician dedicated to providing comprehensive and continuous care for everyone
Madison Pollock, a South Carolina native from Columbia, graduated from Clemson University in December 2023 with a Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences and a minor in Psychology. Inspired by her mother, a pediatrician, and her experiences in Alzheimer’s/Dementia research, geriatric care, and adolescent care, she is eager to pursue family medicine through the PCAT program to advocate for underrepresented groups and build meaningful patient relationships in her community.
Davis Poppe is originally from Washington state, and moved to South Carolina to pursue his Master’s Degree in Community Engaged Medicine at Furman University before applying to the PCAT Program at USC School of Medicine Greenville. He aims to enter Family Medicine to build long-term relationships with his patients and advocate for better healthcare access in his community.
This program is designed for students who have clear medical career goals and are interested in completing their medical school training in three years. The program offers financial and time benefits, as well as early professional development opportunities in Family Medicine. Students can also develop longstanding professional relationships with departmental Faculty.
PCAT Scholars are initially admitted to the four-year program through the standard AMCAS application process. To express interest in the PCAT program, you will indicate this in your supplemental application, which will be sent to you by the University of South Carolina School of Medicine-Greenville after your materials are verified by AMCAS.
Yes. The PCAT program is designated for talented medical students who have a clear career goal as a Family Medicine physician.
You can express your interest in the PCAT program on your supplemental application. If you are accepted into the traditional four-year program, your application will then be forwarded to the PCAT Admissions Team. Following their review, you may be invited for a virtual interview, which typically begins in early Spring of the application cycle.
You must first be accepted into the traditional four-year program. The PCAT Admissions Team wants to see your demonstrated commitment to a career in Family Medicine.
Review our curriculum schematic to see how we optimize your three years of study. You will complete the same core course work as your four year colleagues-just in a more efficient manner with a longitudinal Family Medicine clerkship beginning your first year of medical school. Additionally, you will undertake parts of your Surgery and Pediatric clerkships during the Summer between your first and second years.
In the fourth year of medical school, much of a traditional student’s time is dedicated to career development and exploring residency options. As a PCAT Scholar, you commit to a career in Family Medicine and benefit from a residency placement within one of the Prisma Health-Upstate Family Medicine Residency programs. You do not need time off to apply or interview for other residency programs. You also do not need elective courses to help you select a medical specialty.
No. PCAT students must complete the three-year curriculum uninterrupted. Students who request a research year will transition into the four-year curriculum and will not be eligible for the PCAT Scholarship.
We have a team to help you succeed in this program. In the event you experience academic difficulties, such as a module failure or USMLE Step failure, The PCAT Director, Associate Dean for Medical Education, Assistant Dean for Pre-Clerkship Education, and Associate Dean of Student Affairs will collaborate to develop a personalized transition plan into the four-year curriculum on a case-by-case basis.
A strong commitment to the Family Medicine specialty and a clear understanding of our program’s requirements and post-residency employment expectations with Prisma Health are essential. If you transition out of the program you will enter the traditional four year curriculum. You will lose your scholarship and my required to repay previously paid tuition. The Program Director, Associate Dean for Medical Education, and Associate Dean of Student Affairs will assist you in creating a path to complete your graduation requirements.
Yes, you can pursue a career as a Family Medicine physician and still apply to the Prisma Health Residency programs.
Please attend one of our virtual information sessions. You may also email us at PCAT@greenvillemed.sc.edu.